After a long time of searching a suitable 5.1 sound card for my notebook and the Logitech Z5500, I became aware of the Creativ X-Fi sound card. Although many negative reviews were written about this device, I ordered them to me in the hope that all things would work. And that they are now doing well (after initial problems). The processing and the design of the Sound Blaster is really very well done - it fits through their piano paint very well with my notebook and by its black color and other accessories on my desk. I had to read again and again here that the card is not compatible with Windows Vista. I must, however, again speak. The driver and the software could be installed very easily. While this is a little time of about 10-15 minutes to connect, but problems this did not occur. Directly after the instalation is complete, start the Automatic Update client, which donwloadet and install the latest updates. (90% of the programs you do not really need ;-)) Now it came to me but to problems that were slightly Zeitaufwenidger. I noticed that is transmitted a little later than the image in the films sound. Now do what? For me, perhaps even in other, the problem was that the standard format playback at 24-bit and 96000 Hz was set and this inexplicable, in my view reasons, can not work with the optical output of the sound card together (perhaps is also the Z5500! ). The 6 channel direct cable it works flawlessly. The next problem was then surround sound in computer games (Bioshock). This was not audible what is going on behind me, saying all sounds (and only the sound from the front) came from all speakers. Again, the optical output was the problem. I place on 6-channel direct and I felt trapped in the world of Rapture (Bioshock). On the whole, one can say that the optical digital output to the Sound Blaster brings with it many problems. In my case, it is thus undbrauchbar for movies or games (If anyone has solved the problem, I would be grateful for clarification). From the sound of the sound card, I was really surprised. Sounds really very good and the settings that you can make in the software, usually also useful and improve the sound again by some (bass boost not included).
I give the Sound Blaster yet just 4 stars. It loses a star because of the poor optical output and the rather complicated handling of the device until finally everything is set richitg.
